Work is hard enough already!

Hi Monkey26739,

I find the best thing to do is be as honest as I can.  I make sure that I explain diabetes quite clearly (only if the other person wants to hear it though!). 

If you don't feel comfortable talking about diabetes, others can feel uncomfortable trying to talk about it with you.  And some people may seem like they can't be bothered to discuss it with you but maybe they don't know how to tackle the subject with you.  I've found that sometimes people feel uncomfortable asking me about diabetes in case they offend me, but I reassure them straight away that I'm happy to discuss it.   I don't know how close you are to your colleagues, but maybe you need to just try to explain things openly.  I know it sounds quite bad, but if I explain that I can become unconscious if my blood sugars drop too low it sinks in to people that this can be quite serious and that means they are inclined to be a bit more supportive than they may have been.  You've mentioned that you have to defend yourself.  Explain that if you don't eat when you need to your blood sugars will drop and they will end up having to deal with that.  Educate your co-workers into understanding this a bit better.  The more info you give them the more they'll understand and therefore support you.

Claire x

I wear a med alert bracelet which opens the conversation frequently. Also, not discussing, just telling them something is very important. You need to educate them that if your sugars are low you can become irritable or very grouchy, or you may become dazed or stare into space a bit before you actually pass out. They need to know this so they can help you if you need it.

When I was newly diagnosed my daughter used to notice that I became super grumpy and irrational when I was preparing dinner. What I didn't realize at the time is my sugars were low and I was hungry! She would quietly bring me a half a glass of milk (full of lactose) and 1/2 an apple cut up (fructose) and say "Eat!" Later on she would just ask me if my sugar was low. I'd grump at her but then check it and sure enough it was low. Got so I'd figure it out myself but when I'm stressed or very busy I still have problems with it.

They need to know that mood swings could be signs you're in trouble, not just being 'witchy woman'. You might want to do a bit of teaching to them and your fam so you are safe no matter where you are. Also, I carry a Balance bar, (nutrition bar like a Zone bar) that has like 30%protein, 30% fat and 40%carbs or something like that to help me make it if a meal is delayed or I'm stuck in traffic. It will keep you going and you just have to adjust your next meal to be a bit smaller.

hope this helps.

Dear one,
I work in a hospital very near to where i reside.These may prove helpful to you.
1)as diabetes has no sex distinctions,i found it very very helpful to tell my colleagues that iam a type 2 diabetic.My sincere advise to you to is to tell your co-workers upfront that you have diabetes.Have you?If you have confided,that's half the battle won.

2)Even if your colleagues show half the curiosity as to what diabetes is and you can communicate,another quarter of the battle is won.Tell them that you need "space" to deal with medication,hypo's,side-effects etc and allow them time to let it all sink in.Then only can you(me included) hope to get their attention and empathy.
3)Once they know that your life-style is quite different from theirs,the throne should be yours.You need frequent snacks,so you may have to leave office to go to a cafetaria more often than them;at times you may have to visit the toilet more often(when the sugars are high);or you may have to stop work and eat a snack in the office itself which is not odd once THEY come to know your compulsions;injecting yourself in the office will no longer be an oddity;you'll have the power to say"NO"if offered anything remotely sweet without offending anyone!The benefits once you break the ice are innumerable.
4)Communication is the key which will make your work spot an oasis!

sharer